Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I reach into my coat pocket and pull out the box. I open it and show it to him with a flourish of my hand. The jeweler showed it to me in the store and it’s admittedly stunning. Drake’s shoulders relax and one corner of his mouth curves in pride over such a beauty.
“You should see your face!”
Drake throws me a sour glance as he takes the ring, though he looks ready to throttle me. I expect him to rail at me or at the very least call me an asshole again. Instead, he blows out a huff of air and scrubs his hand through his hair. He sets the box on the passenger seat and reaches for the gearshift. “I’ve got to get going.”
My hand lands on the car door before he can roll up the window. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah… fine.”
Guilt pricks at me that I did a switcheroo on the ring, but I’m not sure that’s the cause of his angst. “What’s up?”
“I’m fine,” he growls, but he looks completely rattled.
“You sure look it,” I point out sarcastically. “Should make for a very romantic proposal tonight.”
His neck twists and he glares at me. “I’m nervous, okay?”
“That she’ll say no?”
“She’s fucking out of my league. She should say no.”
“Okay,” I say dramatically, shaking my head. “Just stop that right now. Watching Drake McGinn lose his confidence is wigging me out.”
“Just wait until you’re in this position one day,” he mutters, but that’s beyond my imagination. No desire to do this proposal thing anytime soon. Maybe never. That level of commitment is not my cup of tea and I’ve given about all I can to the situation with Kiera.
“Look,” I say, making sure his eyes are trained on me. “Brienne loves you and loves your boys. She’s going to jump at the chance to be your wife.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I say and then give him a clap on the shoulder. “Now, get your head in the game. You have a job to do.”
Drake huffs out an exasperated breath and offers me a sheepish smile. “You’re right. It will be fine. All this will go off without a hitch and she’ll say yes.”
“You’re starting off right,” I encourage. “You got the right ring, at least.”
That earns me a brief glare but then he asks, “You’re good to get everyone to the restaurant?”
“Got it covered.”
“Can I trust you after this ring debacle?”
I laugh and take a step back from his Tahoe. “That was a prank, man. I wouldn’t do that to you. I’ll have Kiera and the boys there well before you pop the question.”
“And you know to come out as soon as she gives me her answer,” Drake prods. We’ve been over the game plan more times than I care to remember.
“Unless she says no,” I say with a grin. “If that’s the case, I’m running.”
“Asshole,” he mutters and shifts the Tahoe into reverse. “Just have them there on time and I’ll refrain from beating your ass for the ring prank.”
“Deal.” I chuckle as I turn away to head for my car, but Drake calls out to me. I look over my shoulder. “Thank you for getting the ring and helping Kiera get the boys there tonight. I appreciate you having my back.”
“No problem.”
“I’ve got your back too,” Drake says, and that causes me to frown, but he clarifies. “When you become a dad… I’ve got your back. It’s a wild ride, scary as shit and you never feel as if you’re doing the right thing. Any doubts, you pick up that phone and you call me, okay?”
Well, fuck… Drake McGinn actually does have a heart. “I appreciate it.”
I don’t dare tell him just how freaked I am on any given occasion. Since the emotions inside me range from deliriously happy to terror-induced nausea, I’ll take all the help I can get.
He gives me a rare, genuine smile. “Now get out of here and remember, no screwing around. This is important.”
I give him a mock salute. “Got it. No screwing around.”
Not that I need to give him assurances. I know when pranks are appropriate and when they’re not. I have no intention of ruining his evening with Brienne.
♦
The swanky French restaurant, Le Papillon Doré, shimmers in the evening light as I pull into the parking lot. It’s almost empty since Drake rented the entire place for his romantic dinner and I assume the cars that are here are for the waitstaff and chefs.
Jake, Colby and Tanner are all dressed in little suits and ties, and they look fucking adorable. I put on a suit myself, even though our part in tonight’s festivities is minimal. Still, it’s an opportunity to dress up and I wouldn’t deny Kiera, who’s beyond giddy with excitement.
I glance at Kiera, her long blond hair elegantly cascading over one shoulder. She’s wearing a gorgeous ruby red dress, which is most definitely her color. This dress isn’t the sexpot number she wore to the gala but rather a formfitting, long-sleeve wool outfit she’s paired with black high-heeled boots. Her stomach is as flat as ever, which is to be expected at this stage in the pregnancy, but I do wonder what she’ll look like with a baby bump. I’ve seen pregnant women throughout my life, including the beautiful wives of teammates. I never really gave a second thought to any of them, but for some reason, I can’t wait to watch Kiera’s belly grow over the coming months. I don’t know if it’s a special kind of kink or what, but it’s a turn-on.